At the height of the 2022 nationwide protests, Mashhad’s state-controlled traffic cameras suddenly went dark. This wasn’t due to a glitch or accident but was a deliberate act by Majid Khoshmanzar, an employee of the city’s traffic control company. His actions made it impossible for authorities to identify and suppress protesters at a critical time when the regime was desperately relying on its surveillance system to maintain control.

Khoshmanzar was just one of an estimated 8 million Iranians employed by and connected to the Islamic Republic’s vast state apparatus. Yet his defiance highlighted a growing truth: loyalty to the regime in Tehran is not guaranteed, even among those embedded within its system. 

The Iranian state’s sprawling military, state-owned banks, and companies dominate about 80% of the economy, creating a system where many citizens depend on public sector jobs. Despite this, many state employees reportedly earn as little as $200 a month, while inflation and rising living costs push them closer to poverty.

Although these employees are rigorously vetted and constantly monitored by Ministry of Intelligence personnel, known as "Herasat" (security), economic hardship has led many to quietly sympathize with the broader population during times of unrest. 

This simmering discontent has often exposed cracks within the regime’s workforce—an erosion of loyalty that could prove pivotal in any future revolution. However, for these disillusioned employees to fully turn against the regime, they need more than frustration; they need a clear and compelling vision from Tehran’s opposition, one that assures them of their place in a post-Islamic Republic era.

The presence or absence of this formidable workforce of 8 million has become particularly crucial during key moments such as elections and protests. 

So, who exactly comprises this immense group that, directly and indirectly, props up the regime—and how steadfast is their loyalty in the face of growing unrest?